Waiting for newlyweds from the wedding in the Novgorod province 1891

Andrei Ryabushkin painted "Waiting for newlyweds from the wedding in the Novgorod province" with oil on canvas. Ryabushkin painted during a time of growing interest in Russian national identity. The painting depicts a family, perhaps the bride's family, waiting for the newly married couple. It offers a glimpse into rural life, with the figures dressed in traditional clothing, their faces bearing the marks of hard work and patience. There is a quiet solemnity to the group; it is as though they are markers for the endurance of traditional ways of life. Ryabushkin sought to capture and celebrate the essence of Russian peasant life, "I want my pictures to embody the Russian spirit." The image reflects an idealization of rural life, a common theme in Russian art of the late 19th century. What do you think about the future for the young couple in this image? Is this painting a celebration or elegy?